AVANCE-San Antonio Selected as Regional Finalist for H-E-B’s Excellence in Education Award

Feb. 17, 2012 - PRLog -- AVANCE-San Antonio has been selected as one of five regional finalists for H-E-B’s Excellence in Education, Early Childhood Award.  This award supports H-E-B’s Read 3 early literacy campaign and is designed to support learning agencies that focus on the care and education of children under the age of five.  The award reaffirms AVANCE’s Parent-Child Education Program (PCEP) as a national model and best practice of early childhood education and family support services.

“Being selected as a finalist is a truly humbling honor,” shared Rebecca Cervantez, AVANCE-San Antonio’s Executive Director. “There are so many great initiatives in our city focusing on school readiness and to be recognized as a finalist by H-E-B through their Excellence in Education award, is a great honor for our organization. The $5,000 will help us continue the enhancements to our early childhood education model across our programs. The determination and commitment from our families to attend classes and apply what they learn at home is what makes our program so successful and makes our model so rewarding!”

The five regional finalists were selected because of their passion and historical commitment to offering quality early childhood education and care, success in preparing students to enter kindergarten and innovation and creativity in the classroom or program setting.  A representative from each regional finalist will receive an all-expense paid, two-night trip to the awards celebration in May 2012. The overall state winner will be announced and awarded an additional $25,000 grant at the recognition dinner.

Dr. Glendelia M. Zavala, Chief Program Officer at AVANCE's National Office, expressed her reaction to the news, “The recognition AVANCE-San Antonio received is truly remarkable and well deserved.  The staff is passionate about preparing children to be school ready and they go above and beyond to offer program services that eliminate many barriers to success.  We are proud of AVANCE-San Antonio and look forward to the announcement of the overall state winner.”

Upcoming Event: AVANCE-San Antonio will host their 19th Annual Mother of the Year Luncheon on Thursday, May 10, 2012 at Valero Energy Corporation. At the luncheon, local mothers who exemplify the values instilled in the Parent-Child Education Program and serve as role models for parents currently enrolled in the program will receive awards and recognition. AVANCE-San Antonio is proud to be honoring Probate Judge, Polly Jackson Spencer, at this year’s event. To learn more about the event and how you can join AVANCE in unlocking America’s potential, please call 210-220-1788 or email varriola@avancesa.org.

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Unlocking America’s potential by strengthening families in at-risk communities through effective parent education and support programs. AVANCE is one of the odlest and most distingusished parenting-early chilhood programs in the the country.